Threshold Records

Threshold Records was a record label established by the British rock group The Moody Blues. Its name was taken from the band's 1969 album On the Threshold of a Dream, linking the label directly to the group's late-1960s creative identity. Rather than operating primarily as an independent talent-discovery company, Threshold was designed as a vehicle through which The Moody Blues could exercise greater control over the presentation, packaging, and release of their music. In particular, the label enabled the group to issue albums in elaborate gatefold sleeves and to provide an outlet for solo recordings by its members. The label's commercial distribution structure connected it to established record companies. Decca Records distributed Threshold releases in the United Kingdom, while London Records handled distribution in the United States. This arrangement gave the group an imprint with a distinctive visual and artistic identity without requiring it to build a fully independent international manufacturing and distribution network. Threshold's catalogue included The Moody Blues' own recordings as well as releases by artists connected to the band's wider musical circle. The first outside act signed to the imprint was Asgard, a Westcountry rock group whose album In the Realm of Asgard generated two singles in 1972. Genesis also considered joining Threshold around 1970. According to an account attributed to Genesis bassist Tony Banks, the group recorded a version of Looking for Someone for consideration, but the recording was not used after an error in the organ part; Mike Pinder of The Moody Blues reportedly believed the performance did not require another take. Genesis ultimately did not become a Threshold act. Other artists associated with the catalogue included Trapeze, Providence, Nicky James, and members of The Moody Blues working on solo or side projects. Moody Blues bassist John Lodge produced Trapeze for the label. Releases by Trapeze included the group's self-titled album, Medusa, You Are the Music...We're Just the Band, and The Final Swing. Threshold also issued records by Justin Hayward and John Lodge, Graeme Edge's band featuring Adrian Gurvitz, Ray Thomas, and Mike Pinder. These releases made the imprint both a group label and a platform for the individual creative activities of Moody Blues members. The label's catalogue was visually identifiable through several label designs, including white labels with blue, magenta, or dark-purple branding; a blue design with a multicolour spiral treatment; and later appearances of the Threshold logo on Polydor labels. Some releases used custom label artwork. The imprint also issued a substantial run of Moody Blues albums and compilations, including To Our Children's Children's Children, A Question of Balance, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Seventh Sojourn, This Is The Moody Blues, Long Distance Voyager, The Present, and Voices in the Sky: The Best of The Moody Blues. After 1976, The Moody Blues returned to having their albums manufactured through Decca and, subsequently, PolyGram and Universal Records. Threshold nevertheless remained part of the group's commercial identity. The logo and company name continued to be used in connection with the band's releases, including the description 'in association with Threshold Records' on Moody Blues albums through Strange Times in 1999. The label also had a physical retail presence: a Threshold record shop operated in Cobham, Surrey, and another shop existed in Swindon during the late 1970s. The Cobham shop eventually closed to the public in February 2011. The available reference material does not establish whether Threshold Records continues to operate as an active label today.

Threshold Records emerged from The Moody Blues' desire to control more of the artistic presentation of their recorded work. The name was derived from On the Threshold of a Dream, the group's 1969 album, and the imprint reflected the band's interest in treating packaging and presentation as part of the album experience. Gatefold sleeves were particularly important to this approach. The label also offered a formal outlet for solo recordings by members of the group. Although Threshold carried the identity of The Moody Blues, it operated within a conventional distribution framework. Decca Records distributed its records in the United Kingdom, and London Records distributed them in the United States. This arrangement allowed the band to maintain a recognizable imprint while relying on larger companies for manufacturing, logistics, and market access. The earliest documented Threshold signing outside the group was Asgard, a rock band from the West Country of England. Asgard's In the Realm of Asgard was issued in 1972, with two singles drawn from the album. Genesis considered signing with Threshold around 1970, during an early stage of its career. Tony Banks later described a recording of Looking for Someone that was considered for the label, but the band did not proceed with the release after an organ mistake in the performance. Mike Pinder reportedly regarded the mistake as insufficient reason to record another take, but Genesis did not become part of the Threshold catalogue. Threshold's roster and catalogue expanded through relationships with artists in The Moody Blues' orbit. Trapeze recorded several releases for the imprint, with Moody Blues bassist John Lodge serving as producer. The label also issued material by the rock sextet Providence and singer-songwriter Nicky James. The group-related catalogue included solo and collaborative projects by Justin Hayward and John Lodge, Graeme Edge's band featuring Adrian Gurvitz, Ray Thomas, and Mike Pinder. These records demonstrated the imprint's dual purpose: it represented The Moody Blues while also supporting creative work by individual members and nearby artists. The catalogue's numbering and artwork show a progression from Threshold-branded releases to later records associated with larger distribution labels. Early releases included Moody Blues albums such as To Our Children's Children's Children, A Question of Balance, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, and Seventh Sojourn. Threshold also issued Trapeze albums, Asgard's album, Providence, Nicky James, and several solo projects. Later Moody Blues titles, including Long Distance Voyager, The Present, and Voices in the Sky: The Best of The Moody Blues, appeared within the continuing Threshold catalogue and brand history. After 1976, The Moody Blues returned to having their albums manufactured by Decca Records and later by PolyGram and Universal Records. This change reduced the label's role as the primary manufacturing imprint, but it did not eliminate Threshold as a brand. The name and logo continued to appear in the band's release presentation, and Moody Blues albums through 1999's Strange Times were described as being issued in association with Threshold Records. Threshold also operated as a retail identity. A shop existed in Cobham, Surrey, and a second Threshold shop operated in Swindon during the late 1970s. The Cobham location remained associated with the brand until it closed to the public in February 2011. The available reference material does not provide a formal dissolution date for the label, nor does it confirm current label operations. Threshold is therefore best characterized as a historically significant Moody Blues imprint whose catalogue and identity continued beyond its period as the group's principal manufacturing channel.

• 2011

  Cobham shop closes

  [1]Threshold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The Threshold record shop in Cobham, Surrey, closed its doors to the public in February.

• 1999

  Threshold association continues through Strange Times

  [1]Threshold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The Moody Blues' albums continued to carry an association with Threshold Records through Strange Times.

• 1976

  The Moody Blues return to major-company manufacturing

  [1]Threshold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  After 1976, The Moody Blues resumed having albums manufactured by Decca and later by PolyGram and Universal, while retaining the Threshold name and logo.

• 1972

  Asgard becomes the first documented outside signing

  [1]Threshold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Westcountry rock group Asgard became the first band signed to Threshold and released material from In the Realm of Asgard.

• 1970

  Genesis considers the label

  [1]Threshold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Genesis considered signing with Threshold and recorded a version of Looking for Someone for possible use, but the group did not join the label.

• 1969

  Threshold name established through The Moody Blues album

  [1]Threshold Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label took its name from The Moody Blues album On the Threshold of a Dream, released in 1969.

A musician-controlled British rock imprint emphasizing distinctive album presentation, gatefold packaging, The Moody Blues catalogue, and releases by associated artists and band members.

• Rock albums and compilations · 1969

  The Moody Blues releases

  The core Threshold catalogue consists of albums and compilations by The Moody Blues. Documented releases include To Our Children's Children's Children, A Question of Balance, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Seventh Sojourn, This Is The Moody Blues, Long Distance Voyager, The Present, and Voices in the Sky: The Best of The Moody Blues. These records represent the imprint's principal connection to its founding group.

• Rock albums · 1970

  Trapeze catalogue

  Threshold released several records by Trapeze, including the band's self-titled album, Medusa, You Are the Music...We're Just the Band, and The Final Swing. John Lodge of The Moody Blues produced Trapeze for the label, making the group one of the imprint's most substantial associated acts.

• Solo rock albums · 1975

  Moody Blues solo and side projects

  Threshold provided a release platform for projects by individual Moody Blues members and related musicians. Documented examples include Blue Jays by Justin Hayward and John Lodge, From Mighty Oaks and Hopes, Wishes and Dreams by Ray Thomas, The Promise by Mike Pinder, and Kick Off Your Muddy Boots by the Graeme Edge Band featuring Adrian Gurvitz.

• Rock album · 1972

  Asgard: In the Realm of Asgard

  In the Realm of Asgard was the album associated with Asgard, the first documented outside band signed to Threshold. Two singles were released from the album in 1972, giving the imprint an early example of supporting an artist beyond The Moody Blues.

• 1976

  Shift manufacturing back to established record companiesStrategy

  Background

  The Moody Blues had used Threshold as a distinctive imprint for their releases and associated projects, but after 1976 their albums were again manufactured through Decca and later PolyGram and Universal.

  Action taken

  The label's manufacturing role was reduced while its name, logo, and association with The Moody Blues were retained.

  Aftermath

  Threshold continued as a brand identity on later Moody Blues releases, including albums associated with the label through Strange Times in 1999.

  Source

1. 1Threshold Recordsen.wikipedia.org